Michigan

Pacioretty to help patch up Michigan's young lineup

This is the last in a series of profiles on the University of Michigan hockey team's 12 incoming freshmen. Find the rest of the series here.

In late June, Max Pacioretty made it nine University of Michigan players taken in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft in the last seven years.

The Montreal Canadiens chose Pacioretty (pronounced Patch-a-ready) with the 22nd overall pick. He finished the summer by impressing observers at Montreal's rookie development camp and at USA Hockey's junior team evaluation camp.

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Now Pacioretty's settling in at Michigan, awaiting his chance to show what he can do at the college level. Given where he was drafted, he'll likely be the most watched of Michigan's freshmen - by fans, NHL scouts, opposing teams, etc.

Pacioretty is a power forward-type player who can use his 6-foot, 2-inch and 203-pound frame with good hands to pile up points.

In his only season in the United States Hockey League, after coming out of Taft Prep School in his home state of Connecticut, Pacioretty had 21 goals and 42 assists to earn rookie of the year honors.

Special to the News, Robert Meyer/USHLMax Pacioretty was the rookie of the year in the United States Hockey League in 2006-07.

Pacioretty, who had the academics to consider Ivy League schools, committed to Michigan while he was at Taft in January 2006.

He saw the Wolverines play once in-person last season, getting a feel for the game-night atmosphere of Yost Ice Arena.

"It just seems like a good fit for me," Pacioretty said. "There's great academics and a strong hockey program. To balance those two out seemed like a good fit for me with a really good environment."

Coming off a strong season and a good summer, Pacioretty wants to keep growing with the coaching he'll be getting at Michigan.

"I feel like I know how to take criticism really well and just build off it," Pacioretty said. "Everyone can improve their skills in practice and off the ice, but consistency is something that's both mental and physical. That's something I need to achieve."